Unibond First Division North

11 November 2008

Johnston hat-trick caps Garforth treble

by Ken Milgate

Durham City 5 – Johnston 24, 44pen, 70pen, Cogdon 58, English 71

Garforth Town 2 – Harratt 21,81

Adam Johnston joined Gavin Cogdon and Nathan Fisher as the latest hat-trick hero this season when City completed the League double over their guests, having already beaten them in the Unibond President’s Cup mid-September.

The result might have turned out differently but for the goalkeeping alertness of Marc Riches, City’s fourth last line of defence this season.  Within the first three minutes he had saved with his legs to deny Andrew Hayward and then conceded a corner to thwart Oliver Hotchkiss after a hesitant City defence had failed to clear their lines.

City then found a measure of composure and John Toft shinned Cogdon’s left-wing cross past the post and Gavin Phillis was almost caught napping by a quickly-taken Tommy English free-kick; a near post save from Stephen Capper confirmed that City were beginning to counter Garforth’s obvious game plan not to let City settle.

So it was against the run of play that City fell behind, Lewis Dodds losing possession on the edge of the box and allowing Wayne Harratt to blast the ball past Riches.

The visitors only remained in front for three minutes: Stephen Harrison set up Cogdon only for Phillis to palm the effort away for a corner, from which English’s cross confused the home defence and Johnston hit the sloppy clearance through a crowded box from some fifteen yards.

Cogdon was tormenting the Garforth defence with his speed off the mark and close ball control, but it was Chris Brown who scooped the ball over the bar after City failed to clear a Duncan Williams long throw.

English, Harratt and Hotchkiss all missed the target before an unidentified Garforth defender handled a Cogdon cross, Johnston beating Phillis at the second attempt off the keeper’s body.

City were more positive at the start of the second half, Calvin Smith hitting a half volley over the bar and a Johnston drive bouncing back off the side netting anchor board.

But the visitors were not beaten yet and City survived two successive free-kicks from Hodgkiss before Johnston headed off the line.

A two-goal cushion came just before the hour, Phillis tipping over a Calvin Smith rising drive but making a mess of the corner and allowing Cogdon to score from close range.

Brown sent a free-header over the bar before Johnston was denied by the keeper’s legs, many home fans prematurely celebrating what looked all over a goal.

City were now firmly in the driving seat and Dodds was next to force Phillis to save with his feet.

Jason St. Juste and Hayward were booked in quick succession as City piled on the pressure which resulted in City’s fourth and Johnston’s hat-trick, again from the penalty spot.

A minute later English exquisitely lobbed the keeper after the Garforth defence was all at sea.

Steven (that shoulder still does not look right), Richardson replaced the warmly-applauded Johnston on 73minutes and he should have scored from a Toft cross with his first touch a minute later but his header cleared the bar.

Dodds and Calvin Smith were both booked as the handbag exchanges became evermore hands on, but the final ten minutes saw a flurry of substitutions on both sides and an unfortunate lapse by Riches on what had otherwise been a competent return; he came for but missed a Hotchkiss free-kick into the box and Harratt headed home.

This was a highly absorbing encounter and City were more than good value for all three points and a healthier GD column.  The win puts City up to seventh, eight points behind the leaders, FC Halifax Town, with five games in hand.

Durham City – Riches, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Richard Smith, Laws, Toft, Calvin Smith, Cogdon (Morris 79), Johnston (Steven Richardson 73), English (Duke 78)

Subs not used – Dixon, Fisher

Yellow cards – Lewis Dodds, Calvin Smith

Man of the match – Adam Johnston

Garforth Town – Phillis, Duncan Williams, Piper (George Williams 45), Connor, Wilkinson, Renshaw, Hotchkiss, Harratt, Hayward, Brown (Clark 62), St. Juste (Hutchinson 84)

Yellow cards – Lee Connor, Jason St. Juste, Andrew Hayward

Man of the match – Oliver Hotchkiss